Description:

1962 MK1 Cortina

A rare opportunity to own what is believed to be the UK's earliest surviving MK1 Cortina, discovered in a barn with one owner and less than 18, 000 miles from new. Subject to a full mechanical restoration but looking in 'as found' condition.

This Mk1 was built in the summer of 1962, prior to the launch of the ground breaking new Cortina in September 1962. The car retains almost all of the insurance and MOT certificates through until 1986, when it was retired to a barn in South Wales.

The car was discovered in 2018 and purchased to turn into a race car. Having discovered its unique history and given the highly original condition the car was subject to a £20, 000 'preservation', undertaken by experts in body and welding, with race mechanics undertaking a full mechanical rebuild.

There is a comprehensive photographic record of the rebuild, involving a full strip of the parts, body repairs where required on the underside and strut tops and limited use of new paint (mainly sill areas and engine bay). All of the original interior was retained and, where possible, parts refurbished or rebuilt.

The car was put together by a team of historic race engineers. The original 1200cc engine and gearbox have been set to one side (and accompany the car), with a rebuilt 1500cc engine and Lotus close ratio gearbox fitted. There is a comprehensive list of new parts, including Spax front and rear dampers, new springs, all new brake parts (still drums!), new leaf springs - essentially the car had a full mechanical rebuild.

The body and interior have deliberately been left as original as possible. The interior has simply been cleaned. The exterior has been cleaned and polished and where new paint was applied the patina has been re-created by an expert 'patina blender' who works on classic VWs.

If you are looking for a highly original yet mechanically restored car with unique history this will just the thing, please just promise not to re paint it!!

The car featured in Classic Car magazine and also Classic Ford in 2023 and made a recent run (slowly!) at Shelsley Walsh hill climb.